Our market development work is important to achieving our statutory objective to promote competition in, reliable supply by and the efficient operation of the electricity industry for the long-term benefit of consumers.

If an anomalous event or outcome occurs in the market or the broader electricity sector, we investigate it to determine the causes and whether something can or should be done to prevent such an event or outcome from occurring again.

Data and data exchanges for market transactions

The electricity industry is changing rapidly as technology and new business models make it possible to do things differently. These changes are providing low-cost opportunities to bring new sources of generation, storage and demand response into the market. These technology advancements and new business models will deliver substantial long-term benefits for New Zealand electricity consumers.

We expect these changes to lead to an increase in the collection and exchange of data in the electricity sector. The data system needs to support these innovations while also continuing to support existing ways of doing business.

In this changing environment, we want to ensure the data system can cope with an increase in both the volumes of data and the complexity of transactions – this may require some changes. For example, the data system may need to manage more parties wanting to interface with it, more transactions and more data.